Preserving Fruits: Fig Preserves
Preserving foods has been essential to human life for thousands of years. Even nowadays, it is only natural to want to preserve the foods that you have worked so hard to harvest. If you have been afraid that canning is too hard, this simple fig preserves recipe is a great way to get started.
Fig Preserves: an Easy Recipe
Preserving is a must for those who want to live off the land and use their own mind, bodies, and spirits to harvest their own foods. When you preserve the produce you have grown, you know absolutely everything that has gone into those vegetables and fruits. You are taking charge of your own health and food.
Making fig preserves is an easy and delicious way to start canning at home.
Preserving as a Family Activity
Growing your own fruits and vegetables is a huge step in taking charge of your family’s health and the food that they eat. Preserving is another great step. And it’s easier than you may think!
It’s a big bonus if you can do the work together as a family. Let the kids help! They’ll enjoy working with you to make the fig preserves that they’re going to spread on their toast.
In fact, the kids probably would have a great time helping you make this super-easy No Knead Artisan Bread, too. My kids and I make it almost daily.
By cooking and preserving together, you’ll be forging relationships as a family that will last for a lifetime. And you’ll have a store of delicious fig preserves for your own use and to give as gifts. On top of all that, you can make some extra money from selling any surplus preserves.
Canning Fresh Fruits
Canning your fresh fruits is easy, and most of the time, it does not require a pressure canner. The canning method depends on the acidity level of the food and how much sugar you are putting into the preserves. You can learn all about canning, drying, and freezing techniques in my Preserving Summer post here.
I have written this simple and delicious no-fail Fig Preserves recipe to help you get started. Let me know in the comments how it works out for you!
Also be sure to check out my No Fail Red Pepper Jelly recipe.
Happy preserving.
Fig Preserves
Ingredients
- 2 pounds fresh, ripe figs
- 2 cups sugar
- 4 Tablespoons lemon juice
Instructions
Cooking the Figs
- Combine figs, sugar, and lemon juice together in a medium-sized saucepan and cook on low heat for 30 minutes uncovered.
- Process 10 minutes using the boiling method.
Drying the Figs
- Drying figs is a must. (The only problem with drying them is that they tend to disappear as soon as they come out of the sun or the oven.)
- Set your oven on the lowest setting, probably around 135 degrees.
- Remove stems, cut figs in half, and lay them flesh side up on the cookie sheet. Turn the figs occasionally for 24 hours, or until the outsides are leathery and there are no juices when you put pressure on the figs. Keep the oven door slightly open so that the figs dry instead of cook. You can do this in 12-hour cycles by turning the oven off during the night if you choose.
Storing Your Fig Preserves
- Store figs in an air-tight container for several months. Figs will last in the freezer up to 24 months.
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